The Overlook Film Festival looms large in the not-so-distant future, with a fantastic selection of short films being screened across the festival.
We got the chance to catch up with director/writer/producer Brooke H. Cellars to discuss the fantastic Violet Butterfield: Makeup Artist of the Dead.
When did you decide on the retro aesthetic for Violet Butterfield?
I’ve always been inspired by and drawn to films with that aesthetic!! Even from my very first short film, I’ve always incorporated this retro vibe from the production design, to the music, and even the fashion! While I was writing the script, I was inspired by films such as Female Trouble, Death Becomes Her, Hairspray, Peeping Tom, and The Eye of the Cat.
I don’t always play by the rules, so in creating this ‘period piece’ not everything is as ‘period’ as it’s expected to be. I adore ambiguity, so while the film has that 1960’s look, I have also injected a more modern dialogue to create this whole world of its own!
What can you tell us about the casting process? Michelle Malentina is just perfect casting for Violet.
Not only did I enjoy developing these characters, but casting was fun as well! The only part I didn’t have a casting call for was the part of Shirley. Even before I asked her to join the cast, I had always envisioned Martini as Shirley! When I sent out a casting call for Violet’s part, Martini told her friend Michelle about it and thought she would be great for the part. Michelle had previously seen and loved our film ‘Pumpkyn’ so she was familiar with our work. I actually auditioned male and female actors for the part of Violet and Trevor Chapman, who ended up getting the part of Marvin, was one of the top actors in the running when we were making our decision. But once we saw Michelle’s audition, there she was. Violet. There was no question that was her part. She was 100% that witch!
The film has inherent queer themes, was this always important to convey within the story?
I spent a bit over two years writing the script for Violet Butterfield, which is the longest I’ve ever spent on a short script. I think because the story just kept developing and developing into something bigger than the initial idea. To be honest, there was no initial intent to exclusively include queer themes. In developing the story, I not only wrote characters that project personalities of mine or personalities that I wish I had, but included part of my own story. While incorporating my own story, I include the stories of people who are part of my life and people I love. My family. My friends. While I myself don’t identify as queer, people who are part of my life (including people who worked on the film) do and as they are part of my life they are part of my story. When we started putting Violet out there for the world to see, we hoped that it would resonate with as many people as possible. We began getting accepted into some incredible film festivals and were placed in the queer category. It was an overwhelming appreciation to be considered part of this category and to have people approach us at these festivals to convey how much they connected with the story is out of this world inspiring!
In my review I said it feels like a character plucked out of the afterlife from Beetlejuice, is that a fair observation?
I’d say that’s more than a fair observation! Not only is Beetlejuice one of my all time favorites, but since I was a teenager, people have always compared me to Lydia Deets! I even have a tattoo of the polaroid she took of the ghosts on my arm. I can see the comparison of the afterlife world in Beetlejuice and the world of Violet Butterfield that we created. I think they both portray the afterlife as a more colorful, kooky, quirky world rather than drab, dark, or depressing. Also, similar to Tim Burton films, we love creating new colorful universes where anything can happen! It’s a movie after all! There are no rules! I can also see Violet’s character being compared to Juno The Caseworker in Beetlejuice! “I’m not your coach!!”
How fun was the filming process? I feel like there were plenty of laughs on set.
You would be correct! The set was incredibly fun! Even though I was slightly nervous about directing this project, because it was shot on film, we ended up having one of the smoothest running sets we’ve ever had and it was a blast! Day one, Martini was there! She is hilarious! When we were shooting her part of the crutches, I had to hold and hand over my mouth to keep from cracking up! And that is why I cast her as Shirely, because she is definitely Shirls! We also had an awesome production manager, Matt Bourque, who helped keep that fun vibe going and made sure we were fed. He also had to go ask one of the neighbors to put their chainsawing on hold until after we were done shooting. It was mostly quiet where we shot the film, except for the chainsaw situation and the damn birds! We actually had to ask our interns to do something about the birds because our boom dude, Bradley Gueho, could clearly hear them on the headphones. So our interns did something about it. They grabbed some pots and pans and banged so loudly to scare those noisy birds away!
Once the film finishes I just want to live in Violet’s world, is there scope to do more with this character?
Funny story! Even though we are still at the beginning of Violet’s festival run, the most common wonderful comment we have received from festival audiences is that they think Violet should be turned into a limited series! They wanted more of Violet’s world! If we were able to accomplish that, it would be outta sight amazing and so much fun to create! Most of the original cast and crew are already on board! We are also developing our first feature length film entitled The Cramps which is inspired by Violet’s world.
How excited are you to be screening at Overlook Film Festival?
We are all extremely ecstatic to be able to screen Violet at Overlook!! It’s an amazing festival and since it’s so close to home, most of us will have the opportunity to attend and share this moment to watch our baby on screen together! I’m also excited to be able to check out all the other films that are screening. What a lineup!
What’s the next project you’ve got planned?
While we are in the works developing The Cramps and broadening the world of Violet Butterifield, I cannot go a year without at least shooting something! I always have the itch to create! So we are trying to also develop some teaser shorts for The Cramps. As I mentioned earlier, The Cramps will have similar aesthetics and characters to Violet. The film is inspired by films like A Nightmare on Elm Street 3, The Blob, Cry-Baby, Mommie Dearest, Grease, Female Trouble, Blood and Black Lace, and many more colorful favorites! It’s still in the writing process, but we are preparing these next months to be able to launch our campaign and, goddess willing, we’ll be shooting The Cramps mid 2024!
Violet Butterfield: Makeup Artist of the Dead screens as part of Overlook Film Festival 2023.
Bloody Flicks 